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Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Revision is a Process by Catherine E. McLean - Blog Tour and Giveaway





Revision is a Process –
How to Take the Frustration Out of Self-Editing
by Catherine E. McLean
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GENRE: Self-Help, Self-Improvement, Non-Fiction

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BLURB:

A first draft holds the possibility of what will be a great story. Revision turns that rough diamond into a spectacular gem worth a reader's money and time.

Writers are individuals but to be a producing writer means creating a system to revise and polish a work so the reader thoroughly enjoys the story. REVISION IS A PROCESS is a guidebook for writers and authors that shows how a simple 12-step process can be tailored to eliminate the most common and chronic maladies of writing genre fiction. This valuable guidebook contains secrets, tips, practical advice, how-to's, and why-to's for taking the frustration out of self-editing.

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EXCERPT

From Section 1, An Overview of Revision is a Process

. . . revision is a process .  A logical, straightforward process where you don't try to find and fix everything at once. Instead, you break the monumental task into component parts and focus on only an item or two at a time.

Okay, so the reality is that creative people,  especially writers, hate logic and straightforwardness. And it's a fact that logic and creativity have always been at war with each other. After all, creativity gives a writer a high like no other. It's the fun part of writing and storytelling.

On the other hand, revising, rewriting, and self-editing are linear, logical, objective—and not fun.

But necessary.

Ever so necessary if one intends to be commercially successful in the writing business.

Here's something I've learned about writing and self-editing—a writer should find a middle ground. That means having the logical part of one's mind work with the subconscious imagination (the creative self).

It's about adopting a different view of self-editing—calling it a process—and diligently organizing that process into small steps that can easily be done. This gives a writer confidence that they have polished their story and increased its marketability.

I strongly believe, and have seen, that revision-as-a-process enables a writer to use both their left (logical) and right (creative) brain to become even more creative.

That's because the writer not only tailors a one-of-a-kind process but they also develop their own revision master cheat sheets. As a result, the creative subconscious (the imagination) becomes aware of the pitfalls and glitches that must be checked for, and subsequently, little by little, the creative self dishes up better first drafts with far fewer errors.

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A. Write smarter – not harder    498 words

I have a question for you— Would you enter the Boston Marathon without taking the time to figure out how to condition your body for it, make a plan for exercising, keep a calendar for workouts, gradually muscle up, or even test your abilities with a few short runs?

Sadly, too many writers think their stories can go from draft to publication without understanding the many aspects of what makes for a marketable story.

To become an effective storyteller–not just "a writer"—means starting with making the commitment to write and to complete a short story or novel. It starts with putting the writing first and making sure the family, spouse, kids, relatives, etc. know you mean business when you say "unless you're at death's door or bleeding to death, do not disturb me during my writing time!"

If writing is important to you, find a niche in your daily schedule that's free so you can write.

Next is personal— you have to know what kind of writer you are.  Well, that won't happen until you have written a million words.  You see, most writers initially fall into two groups: Pantsers or Plotters. The novice usually starts out as a Pantser, that is, they put their butt in a chair, start writing, and then discover how erratic the path is that their imagination takes. The story often starts out great guns with the elation of a creativity high, but that soon fizzles into the reality of a dead-end or characters going off on tangents, or the plot flip-flops, or there's no ending in sight.

As to the Plotters, they outline. Some a little, others a lot. However, by plotting they are assured of the plot and that their characters are likeable and worthy of the story. Trouble is, once they plot out the tale, they often lose interest in drafting the story.

Of course, it will be trial and error and certain stories will require a certain way to be written, so that's why there are eight other types a writer often evolves into or chooses to use because it works for them.

Over the years, I've met a great many writers who became multi-published and award-winning storytellers. They all developed a system to consistently generate quality stories with a minimal amount of frustration in rewriting and revising. What they also figured out is that all the spreadsheets, Project Bibles, computer programs, questionnaires, and "cheat sheets" in the world didn't work unless they were tailored for their personality and the way they create a story.

And that's the key—discovering what will work for you, your mind set, and the way you understand and create story people and plots.

Yet, there are more factors that benefit a writer on their journey to becoming a storyteller of worth, like joining a writer's group, forming writing partnerships, and getting quality feedback from beta-readers.

Do you have a system for consistently generating completed stories or are you a die-hard Pantser or Plotter?
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Catherine E. McLean's lighthearted, short stories have appeared in hard cover and online anthologies and magazines. Her books include JEWELS OF THE SKY, KARMA & MAYHEM, HEARTS AKILTER, and ADRADA TO ZOOL (a short story anthology). She lives on a farm nestled in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains of Western Pennsylvania. In the quiet of the countryside, she writes lighthearted tales of phantasy realms and stardust worlds (fantasy, futuristic, and paranormal) with romance and advenure. She is also a writing instructor and workshop speaker. Her nonfiction book for writers is REVISION IS A PROCESS - HOW TO TAKE THE FRUSTRATION OUT OF SELF-EDITING.


● Website for writers:  http://www.WritersCheatSheets.com

● Writers Cheat Sheets Blog: https://writerscheatsheets.blogspot.com

● Linked-In:

● Facebook:



● Amazon Author Page:

● Link to buy REVISION IS A PROCESS at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0988587440

● Link to buy REVISION IS A PROCESS at Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/revision-is-a-process-catherine-e-mclean/1126295618


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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION 

One randomly chosen winner via rafflecopter will win a $50 Amazon/BN.com gift card.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to visit the other blogs on the tour.


November 21Sharing Links and Wisdom
November 28Rogue's Angels 
November 30This and That Book Blog
December 5Books, Dreams,Life
December 7Edgar's Books
December 12Author C.A.Milson
December 14Hope. Dreams. Life... Love
December 19Fabulous and Brunette
December 21Readeropolis
January 2Mixed Book Bag
January 4Wake Up Your Wild Side
January 9Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books! 
January 11Musings From An Addicted Reader
January 16Bookaholic 
January 18Kit 'N Kabookle
January 23Eclectic Evelyn
January 25Locks, Hooks and Books
January 30Independent Authors
February 1The Reading Addict
February 6Mello and June, It's a Book Thang!
February 8Dina Rae's Write Stuff
February 13Lily Iona MacKenzie's Blog for Writers and Readers
February 15Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer
February 20BooksChatter
February 22Books Direct
February 27Queen of All She Reads
March 1The Book Connection 
March 6T's Stuff
March 8Welcome to My World of Dreams
March 13It's Raining Books

12 comments:

  1. Thank you for having me as your guest today. I'll be checking back from time to time today to answer questions, discuss writing, or being an author.

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  2. I started out as a full-on punster. I'd get a brand new notebook and start writing. I've evolved a bit over the years. Now I like to have an idea of where I'm going, what the dark moment might be, and seriously work out the characters goals and motivations. I still use the notebook and write out the rough draft. Less temptation to go back and rewrite.

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    1. Hi, Kathy,

      Every writer eventually develops a method that works for them. Kudos for discovering that writing in a notebook by hand is helpful. By doing so you are, in a way, "outlining" the story to figure out the important things before writing a draft that required countless revisions. I wish you all the best with your writing and storytelling. And thank you for dropping by.

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  3. Great post - I enjoyed reading it - thanks for sharing and Happy New Year :)

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    1. And a Happy New Year to you - and thanks for commenting.

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  4. I like the comparison to getting ready for the Boston Marathon, I can relate to that. I haven't done much writing except for school, and so I associate it with tests and grading. It would be fun to try.

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    1. I share with you the words of Sol Stein, who said: "A writer is someone who cannot not write." Which means there is something within a writer that propels and compels them to write, regardless of whether they ever get published. That writing might be fiction or nonfiction or poetry. Yet, the roots of good writing begin with writing to be understood and to explain things, which you're inadvertently experiencing with your school work and tests. Make no mistake, getting the words right is hard work! If you decide to pursue writing fiction, begin with Jack M. Bickham's book "Writing the Short Story - A Hands On Program." Don't let the title fool you. The book is about writing the Developed Short story - and the only difference between the Developed Short Story and a Novel is length and scope. Successfully writing the Developed Short Story means you're on your way to writing a good novel. I wish you all the best with your schooling and writing. Have a great New Year, and thank you so much for stopping by.

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  5. Thank you and thank you for stopping by today!

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  6. I enjoyed having you here today.

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  7. I enjoyed being your guest today and now that the hour is late must say goodnight. I wish you and all those that visit your blog a prosperous and joyous New Year.

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  8. Thank you for introducing me to this book, it sounds like something I'd really enjoy reading!

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  9. congrats on the tour and thanks for the chance to win :)

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